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Detroit Man Sentenced to 32- 52 Years in Prison for Assault and Armed Robbery of Transgender Woman

DETROIT - May 22, 2018 - Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Dalton Roberson today sentenced Charles Brown, 21, of Detroit to 30-50 years for Armed Robbery Causing Serious Injury and other charges, plus two additional years for use of a firearm in connection with a felony, in an armed robbery of a transgender woman. After a trial conducted by Fair Michigan Justice Project (FMJP) Special Prosecutor Jaimie Powell Horowitz, a jury convicted Brown of the crimes on May 2, 2018. Brown's accomplice in the crimes, Jujuan Williams, 19, was sentenced to 15-30 years in prison on March 9, 2018.

In addition to the Armed Robbery and Felony Firearm sentences, Judge Roberson sentenced Brown to 30-50 years for Assault with Intent to Murder, 2-5 years for being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and 1-5 years for Fleeing and Eluding the Police. All the sentences run concurrently, except for the felony firearm sentence.

Brown and Williams accosted their victim in the 17800 block of Woodward Avenue at about 1:50 a.m. on November 17, 2017. Brown, armed with a .22 caliber semi-automatic rifle, and Williams exited a red GMC Yukon and told the victim to drop everything and run. The victim dropped her purse and ran. Brown fired five shots, three of which stuck the victim as she ran away, while Williams picked up her purse. Detroit police officers located the vehicle, gave chase, and apprehended Williams and the rifle after the Yukon jumped a curb and stopped. Brown escaped on foot. The police apprehended Brown the following day. The victim was hospitalized and disabled after the attack.

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym L. Worthy assigned the case to Special Prosecutor Jaimie Powell Horowitz of the FMJP, which is collaboration between the Prosecutor's Office and Fair Michigan, a Wayne County LGBTQ advocacy nonprofit organization. FMJP is a program that assists Michigan law enforcement officers and prosecutors in solving serious crimes against lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgender persons.

Fair Michigan President Dana Nessel said, "Charles Brown's sentence is a just and measured response to his horrific crimes against an innocent transgender woman. This case demonstrates the continuing need for the Fair Michigan Justice Project, which, in association with the Prosecutor's Office and the Detroit Police, was established to provide LGBTQ individuals with an effective, focused, and tenacious team dedicated to investigating, prosecuting, and solving these violent crimes against the LGBTQ community."

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